The biggest welcome
A Deutscher lawn mower, a windsock, cone markers, and all the official survey gear were the cargo for a helicopter ride to the Jiwaka/Madang border area, landing at Junkaral this time last year. John Bromley, the CEO of the PNG Rural Airstrip Agency (RAA), and Anton Lutz were on a mission to survey an airstrip that hadn’t been used in many years. Now, the airstrip needed further modifications before MAF could resume flights to it.
Anton recalls, “The airstrip was built in the late 90’s but fell into disuse in 2002. The grass had grown tall, but the dream was not dead. The Junkaral community, led by auxiliary policeman Jack Goi, had done a lot of work over the last couple years hoping to re-open their airstrip, and RAA and the Jiwaka Provincial Government were able to step in and make this final push possible with good, old-fashioned hard work and partnerships.”
“The first day, there was the lawn mowing. John did the first few runs down the strip with the new Deutscher mower then handed it over to the local lawn-mower-in-training.”
“The second day,“ Anton continues, “as we burned off the dry grass trimmings and installed the windsock, the community was getting excited. When we began the official survey in preparation for the first landing, the community began preparing for the next day’s feast and celebrations.”
“On our third morning, we were the privileged guests at the first landing celebrations, after which we planned to return to Goroka with MAF pilot Remi Van Wermeskerken.”
However, trouble was brewing! Remi’s departure from Goroka for the Junkaral first landing was delayed by heavy rain and lots of clouds, so the pressure was on to do the first landing in time to get John back to Goroka to catch his international flight. After numerous text messages and weather reports from the ground at Junkaral, the weather was finally good enough for Remi to take off for the 25 minute flight. The flight involved steeply climbing to cross a mountain range at about 8,000ft and then immediately descending to a circuit altitude of 1,000ft.
“Looking out the cockpit upon arrival over Junkaral”, Remi recalls, “it was obvious to me that the villagers had put in an incredible amount of work to cut this airstrip out of the forest, remove rocks and trees, level it and plant grass. After several passes at different altitudes to ensure a safe landing (and take off), everything on our MAF checklist had been confirmed as safe and in order, and a very uneventful landing was made, at least until the engine was shut down…”
Immediately a horde of very excited villagers came to meet the plane and the amazing pilot that had made the first landing in many years. They knew that now they would soon be able to get goods, services and help flown in, and their very sick people flown out to hospital. Remi continues, “the plane got very colourfully and beautifully decorated with flowers and coloured leaves, and the villagers started marching around the plane in excitement. They even picked me up and carried me around the plane as they realized that after all those years of hard work, they would finally be able to have planes land and take off from their own airstrip.”
“After John, Anton and I were thanked profusely, it was time to get to business, and the three of us slowly walked up and down the airstrip to do a final survey together and make sure that there were no safety concerns. After pointing out some minor things to the villagers that would need to be done before the airstrip would be officially opened, some general safety instructions were given to the village leaders. Then the villagers once again showed their appreciation for the interest and help received from John and Anton and for MAF doing the first landing at their airstrip.”
“Upon departure, another over flight of the airstrip was completed to see how much work would be required to make it a two-way airstrip instead of being a one-way strip. Another steady and steep climb was needed to get over the mountain range again to get back to Goroka. Looking down on the rugged mountains that have blocked the way to health care, education and contact with the outside world for so long, we were again amazed at how the villagers at Junkaral would now be able to quickly and safely fly people in and out of their village using MAF services.”
“As we have opportunity, let us do good. “This scripture definitely was carried out that day and MAF has now been able to help the Junkaral community in many ways with our MAF aircraft and personnel since the airstrip has been open.
Watch out for Part 2 of the Junkaral Communications as it will prove that this airstrip is a real life line.